GIBRALTAR'S chief minister has attacked Tony Blair over his attempt to hand joint-sovereignty of the Rock to Spain.

Fabian Picardo said Gibraltarians will be forever “sceptical” of the former Labour Party Prime Minister after he signed a secret deal with the Spanish government in 2002 to end the UK’s 300-year control of its overseas territory.

Former Europe minister Peter Hain revealed in his memoirs Mr Blair sanctioned the deal because he wanted to win the backing of Spain – then led by Jose Maria Aznar – to help Britain take on Germany and France in European Union negotiations.

Speaking on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Picardo said, despite himself being a left-leaning politician, he favours the words of Conservative because of Labour’s history with the Rock.

We had the attempts by Labour to dilute the sovereignty of Gibraltar with joint-sovereignty with Spain

Fabian Picardo

The chief minister praised former Tory leader Lord Howard after he said Theresa May would defend Gibraltar in the same way as Margaret Thatcher defend the Falklands in 1982.

Mr Picardo played down any suggestions that Lord Howard condoned an armed conflict over the Rock, insisting he was just echoing the opinion of Gibraltarians who overwhelmingly want to remain British.

He said: “Lord Howard is a long-time friend of Gibraltar when he was leader of the Conservatives we had the attempts by the Labour government – and I’m a socialist labour leader – to dilute the sovereignty of Gibraltar with joint-sovereignty with Spain.

“Mr Blair was responsible for that, so we have a lot of affection for Mr Howard. I don’t think he was doing anything other than reflecting the passion of which the British people defend the right of the people of Gibraltar to determine their own future.”

Ridge then questioned Mr Picardo on Mr Blair’s claim Brexit may not happen after Gibraltar voted 96 per cent in favour of remaining in the EU.

The former Prime Minister told the BBC the EU could reform its freedom of movement policy to entice Britain into remaining in the bloc.